Newly Diagnosed with RA mom On MTX - Are Biologics Worth It?
Hi! I was diagnosed with RA in November of 2024 when I was two months postpartum. My RF was high when the blood work came in ( about 515) or so. I was put on Mtx (25 mg). I inject the mtx weekly and started medication in late December of 2024. I have monthly flares, and still in somewhat pain but the pain is bearable (2/10 worse is 3/10). The flares come before my menstrual cycle and during my cycle from what I noticed. My baby is now 8 months old and is starting to learn how to crawl and I want to be in less pain and have less flares up. I am having a hard time understanding if I need more medication to control my RA or if it's a question of time to let the MTX work into my system. There are weeks where I feel great with no pain and then there are weeks where everything aches. I've taken mtx for about 5 months now. I am feeling way better now and can move way better than where I was 5 months ago. I can move every joint with no problem unless I have a bad flare on that joint. My mobility is great now, but the flares and the knee pain worry me and bother me. I am on a anti-inflammatory diet but lately I have ventured into different foods so I am not sure if this had something to do with the flaring. I also have a full time job and a baby and a household that I juggle daily. I also have bad anxieties and started to take medication as of January and the anxiety medication has helped tremendously.
My doctor said that we can "try" Humira more or so to make me happy and didn't really feel as it if I needed. I guess, he is not worry about my flare ups, but I am. I did seek a second opinion and that Rheumatologist told me that I pretty much needed Humira due to the amount of flares up that I had. I take metho-pred for my flare ups when they occur.
I am unsure and very scared to take a Biologic, specially Humira or any biologic because of the side effects. I do feel like I would be way more comfortable and in better shape with a biologic but I' scared to take it. I also don't know if I really need it because other factors may or may not be contributing to my flare ups. I also wanted to try Orencia but my insurance wants me to try Humira or other drugs in that same category before they pay for Orencia. I am so unsure on what to do and what direction to take and would greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I just want to be well and comfortable so I can do more things with my baby as he starts to grow and enter new phases. Thank you so much!
I am in a similar position, but on methotrexate and leflunomide since 2007. Nodules, few flare ups,knees, neck and low back pain recently started up. Would Humira be of any use? Or do I stay on methotrexate?
Good Morning Pam88
I can definitely relate to your story, I was diagnosed with RA May of last year. My Husband ❤️♥️, I actually went on vacation and then the last day of our vacation. Something triggered it and that’s how the on side of my RA came out. I started out going to the podiatrist nothing‘s wrong with my feet but my feet felt like they were on fire and I was walking on glass. They did so many different tests on me in the last test that they actually ran was RA my RA factor was super super high so I got lucky there for them to be able to figure out that’s exactly what it was. I started out with methotrexate. Pill form. My first on go with that I got super super sick, I actually had severe flu like symptoms and I was throwing up. So I reported back to my RA. She said let’s try one more dose and see how it works. So the next round of Methotrexate because I was taking it weekly, I had the same exact symptoms. So she moved me to leflunomide! Within three weeks, I started to feel a difference. I had to quit my job because I was almost debilitated. I couldn’t walk everything happened so fast. The leflunomide did give me about half of relief. But it just wasn’t strong enough. So my RA said let’s try a biologic cocktail, so she introduced Humira along with my leflunomide . I was very skeptical myself due to the side effects but at this point, I believe I was just kind of desperate and didn’t have anywhere else to go. So I’ve been on Humira for six months now I’m doing great. I do have occasional bad month and then an occasional good month. The only struggle that I have right now is I have some serious deterioration in my left ankle so I’m getting that under control but other than that the Humira has done wonders for me along with the leflunomide.. one thing I have learned it is a very long journey to find that specific medicine that works, I have went through it myself but once they find that cocktail, it’s like a big breath of fresh air. 😮💨 I hope this gives you some type of relief and set your mind at ease.
